Artist&#39;s equipment



April 11, 1950 M. DOLAS 2,503,807

ARTISTS EQUIPMENT Filed Sept- 17, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

MICHAEL DOLA S ATTORNEYS.

April 11, 1950 M. DOLAS ARTISTS EQUIPMENT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 17, 1946 INYENTOR. MICHAEL DOLAS ATTORNEYS taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

I Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the equipment in position for use as an easel;

in which the pallet is secured; I I I I I Figure 4 is a front elevation on a reduced scale illustrating the use of the equipment as anew ing board; I

' drawing. board removed to Patented Apr. 11, 1950 1:

Application S eptemb e r 1'7, 1946, Serial No, 697 vl Clainrs. (01545-69) 3;, j;

-This invention relates to equipment for use i by artists, illustrators, draftsmen, etc., and, more particularly to a compact, unitary unit comprising all of the needs of persons engaged in these professions, which can be compactly placed into a trunk which can be conveniently transported and set up for use on short notice.

Artists, draftsmen, illustrators, etc., who will be referred to herein under the generic designation as artists, depending upon the precise work they are doing, require-a large variety of equipment, such as easels, drawing boards, pallets, etc., most of which are bulky and inconvenient to transport and set up for use in various places. Most of such equipment is designed to remain stationary in a permanent studio.

In accordance with my invention, I have developed a compact, unitary structure containing all the necessary equipment for an artist which can be housed together, such as in a trunk, which may be shipped and transported from place to place with the ease of luggage. If an artist wishes to work in a hotel room or other temporary working accommodations, for example, it is necessary only for him to take the trunk with him just as he would travelling baggage, and all ofof furniture for a studiO or room. However, merely for illustrative purposes, I will describe my invention herein as applied to a trunk which c an be readily shipped. The embodiment "used for illustrative purposes can be better understood from the detailed description hereinafter,

Figure 2 is a front elevation showing the easel lowered;

Figure 3 is a detail view partly in elevation and partly in perspective showin the manner Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing the expose the mounting means therefor;

" Figure 6 is a side elevation s howing'the easelin vertical position extended to accommodatealarge accompanying" canvas; Figure '7 is aside viewin cross section showing a detail of the easel mounting construction; Figure 8 is a perspective locking from behind showing a rear view of the, easel mounting means;

Figure!) is a cross sectional view of the support for the easel;

Figure 10 is a iew mostly in-cross section illustrating a detail ofrthe construction for holding the easel supportin'position;

Figure 11 is 'a view'in cross section illustrating themanner in: which the easelis mounted on 'theeaseisupportr Figures 12 and 13 are plan and cross sectional views, respectively, of the construction employed for securing the easel to the easel support. 1 2 Referring to the figures moreparticularly, the portable equipment comprisesa trunk indicated generally at ID. :'The trunk may have the usual handles H (Fig. 5). by which the trunk may be moved. The lid l2 of the trunk is shown in open position in all of the figures but may be held in closed position by latches l3 and a lock M. The trunk preferably is formed so that the lid nor mally forms one of the vertical sides, when closed, as distinguished from the top which is the common position of the lid of most trunks when closed. The lid is hinged to the trunk by suit-- able hinges. l5, which are strong enough and of such construction as to permit the lid to fold back and lay flat upon' the upper surface 16 of the trunk. x: .I- The interiorfof the.;trunk:injthe embodiment lustrated is provided with three compartments comprising two drawers H and I8 ,(Fig. 1), which can bepulled' out and into which 'brushesand --miscellaneous' artists supplies 'can be kept. An upper section above the drawers isolosed by a cover l9 which canibe'dropped to expose a plural- -ity of compartments 20 .(Fig. 2) into'which draw- "ing paper and other; supplies can be stored. The cover [9 preferably is made out of plywood, or other soft wood, and can function as a bulletin board on which reminders, sketches, etc., can be fastened with thumb tacks, either onathe outside face when in closed position or on the in- -terior face when the cover is dropped open to expose the compartments 20, as shownsin Fig: 2. Preferably, the 'int'eriorfsurface "is ism-used. because this surface is normally 'in' front of ."the artist-when the cover I9is' dropped on hinges '23, and any material fastened'to the interior surface is always in view as aconstant' remainder, such as work to be done, appointments, etc". *Above' 'the compartments 20 isa-drawe'1 2 l which is mounted on racks 22 (Figs. 1 and 5) so that the drawer can be pulled out to extend beyond the side of the trunk. The drawer thus forms a'convenient place tokeepbrushes, erasers,

and miscellaneous equipment immediately below allot the equipment fastened on the inside of the ',1id, as will be described more particularly hereini "after. Preferably, the depth of the space a is suflicient so that thefdrawing board and easel on I the inside of the cover do not occupy the entire space and leave sufficient room in space I) for a large canvas or other c'lrawing material to be stored or carried, provided they are not larger than the inside dimensions ofv the trunk.

- The exact arrangement of the drawers l1 and 18, the compartment and the drawer 21 is subject to variation, provided that it is suitably subdivided to hold the various equipment required by the artist. The depth of "these drawers and space similarly :can be varied, depending upon the amount of space I) desired in which to store large sheets of drawing material.

this for sliding movement on guides 22 so as :to permit the drawer to be pulled out beyond :the upper surface 1'6 of the trunk so as to be readily a;cces'sib1e to the artist during 'work.

I will next describe the easel or drawing board which is mounted on the upper surface of the lid l2 when open, which would be the interior surface of the lid when closedinto the space a.

On the inside :surface of the lid l2, which is the upper surface when open, are mounted two paint boxes 24 and 25. On top of each box is a cover 26 which .is removable "and which can be used as a pallet. The pallets may be formed of metal, such as aluminum, and suitably shaped with rims 2602. Within the boxes .24 land 25 may be stored tubes of paint and other artists material. When :the equipment is in use, these lcovers may be'removed, exposing the interior 24a Either .of the pallets 26 may of .the box (Fig. 1). be fastened. to'the pallet holder, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3, and which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The pallets 2B are iheld'in place as covers for the paint boxes 24 and :25 by the easel or drawing board which immediately overlies them when the drawing board .or .easel'is .in fiatposition. Between the paint boxes is a space generally indicated at 21 (Fig. 8) into which the drawing board or easel support 34 fits when in :retracted position. From this construction it will be seen that whenthe easel or drawing board is fastened on the support 34 and the support 34 lowered to fit into the space 27 between *the paint boxes, the drawing board will act to holdthe cover pallets 2.6 on top of the paint boxes -24 and 25, as shown-in Fig. 2.

The easel and drawing board support 34 will now be described in greater .detail. Mounted on -.one edge :of the lid 1:2, nearest the hinges, isrfa -supporting member 29 on which a long piano i-hinge 30 is fastened, (Fig. 7:). One sidez3l ofthe :piano hinge is fastened tot-he supporting member 29 by screws 31a, and the other side of the piano hinge :is fastened to a large triangular plate 33. :lui-table bolts :may be used for fastening the It is highly desirable to include the drawer 2| and to mount piano hinge to the triangular plate 33. The use of the piano hinge 30 for this purpose is important since it is a long and continuous support which is essential for the adequate and steady support of the easel or drawing board.

Fastened to the triangular piece 33 is a rectangular support, generally indicated at 34, on which the drawing board or easel is mounted. Preferably, this is formed so as to leave a hollow interior space 35. The support 34 is fastened to the triangular plate 33 by means of suitable screws or bolts 33. The support 34 is illustrated in cross section more particularly in Fig. 9, showing the hollow space 35, the sides 31 and the extensions 38. This cross section extends the full length .of the support .34. This construction for holding the support is important to give the necessary rigidity to the easel or drawing board. The solid triangular shape of the plate 33 similarly contributes to the solidity necessary for construction of this type.

About midway on the support 34 is a holding means, generally indicated at 39 in Figs. 6 and .8 and shown in greater detail in Fig. 10, for positioning the support 34. I wo side members 40 and 42 are fastened to the sides 31 of the support 34 by means of bolts 4! or other securing means. For reinforcement purposes a U shaped piece 43 is bolted to the support 34 by means of bolts 410.. Two holes '44 are formed in the overlapping sides 40 and 42 "through which extend the cross-arms 43 of a T-menrber '45. The arms 46 and 41 which extend through the holes 44 are secured with nuts 48 on each end. The other portion of the T-member 4-9 telescopes into a tube 50 (Fig. 8). One end of this tube "50 is adapted to be secured by means of a thumb bolt 5| '(Fig. 8) to the upper surface of the lid 12 in the space 2'! between the paint boxes .24 and 25. Any con- .struction for fastening the lower end of the tube 50 to the upper surface of the lid i2 may be utilized and a plurality of brackets 50a, 50b, 50c, etc., spaced from each other may be positioned so that the end of the tube 50 may be fastened at diiferent points by the screw 5|. The other end of the tube 50 is provided with .a thumb screw 52 which is adapted to firmly secure the end 49 of the T-member. The brackets 50a, 56b and 50.0 spaced along the surface of the lid can be used in coaction with the .bolt 5! to fasten the lower ven'd of the tube 50 at various points along the space 21. By means of the construction shown, the support 34 may be held in any desirable inclined position by fastening the lower end of the tube 50 by means of the bolt 5i tonne .of the different brackets 53a, 59b, 500 on the surface of the lid or by sliding the end 49 of .the T-member in and out of the tube 50 and securing itat the desired position. If desired, the support 34 may be placed perfectly vertical, as shown in Fig. -6, or it may be placed at any angle, as shown in Figs. 1 and 8.

When .the .lid I2 is to be :closed, the thumb .screw 5| is removed so that the lower end .of the tube 50 can be disengaged from the bracketand in this way the support 34 may be laid out ,flat between the .two paint boxeaasshown more particularly in Fig. 5. I

Attached to the upper .end of the support 134 is a movable fastener .53 .(Fig..8') having two grooves 54, which can coact with the screws rextending from the upper surface of thelid 12 so as to lock the support 34 .in retracted position between the paint boxes, as shown in Fig. This locking member .53 may. be suitably .hi-nged, as shown at ment with the support 34.

58,80 that the grooves 54 may be slid under the heads of the screws 55. W f

I The drawing board or easel, which is mounted on the support 34, is formed from a solid piece 68, preferably of wood. The board 60 is adapted to slide upon the support 34 and the construction to accomplish this is shown more particularly in Fig. 11. The board 60 is provided with two engaging members 10, secured to the backof' the board bytwo separating members TI. The engaging members III are mounted so as to overlie the extensions 38 on support 34. The board is placed upon the support 34 by sliding it into position with the extensions 38 sliding in the'space provided by the overlapping members Illj.i- ;I n this way the board 60 can be slid up and "down the support 34 at any position. The members and II extend the full length of the board and coact with the extensions 38 which extend the full length of the support 34 to provide. support throughout the length of the board, preventing sidewise motion of the board at any position of the board.

Across the bottom of the drawing board are ledges 6| on which a drawing can be rested.

These are preferably formed with an inclined surface 6| a (Fig. 6) so that the drawing will be held firmly against the board 60 by falling to the bottom of the incline. Located between the ledges SI is a large thumb screw 62 whichis used for fastening the easel or board 60 in firm engage- The details of this fastening means are shown more particularly in Figs. 12 and 13. A rectangular hole 63 is cut into the bottom of the board, between the ledgesBI. Into the hole is fitted a rectangular block 64 of about the same size. Mounted across the hole and secured to the board is an overlying piece 65. A threaded bolt 66 extends through the cross piece 55 into the block 64. On the end of this bolt is mounted the thumb screw 62. When the screw 52 is turned, the block 64 is pressed into firm engagement with the support 34, thereby forcing the block 64 against the support 34 and securing the board 60 at any position up or down the length of the support 34. The engaging face 64 of the block may be roughened or may be covered with sandpaper or an adhesive so as to facilitate holding the board firmly in position. This construction is important since the large area provided by the block 64 against the support 34 is suflicient'to hold the weight of the board 60 firmly in position.

When the thumb screw 82 is turned so as to press the block 64 against the surface 34, the extensions 10 on the board 68 will be brought into :firm engagement with the extensions 38 on-the support 34 and the board 60 will be held in rigid fixed position relative to the support 34. The

support in turn is held firmly by the triangular plate 33 and the piano hinge 30.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 6 the surface 60 is used in the manner of an easel, i. e.,

positioned above the surface of the lid I2 The easel may be raised or lowered bymeans of the thumb screw 62, and by means of the screws 5| and 52 it may be placed in a vertical position, as shown in Fig. 6, or it may be inclined to any angular position, as shown in Fig. 1. j

When the canvas is too large, the support 60 thumb screws. 85 and 86. These extension rods may be fastened in' position and the extension piece 88 extended to any desired distance. The upper end of the extension contains a ledge 81 which corresponds to the lower ledge 6| in the bottom and has an inclined surface 88 at the top similar to the inclined surface 6Ia at the bottom. When the canvas or other material on which the painting is to'be done is large, it can be placed on the board 60 with the lower edge resting against the inclined surface Ma and the edge 88 brought into firm engagement with the upper end of the canvas. :When the ledges 6Ia and 88 are clamped in position by screws 84 and 85 the canvas will be held firmly on the easel.

In the above description, the support 60 is illustrated as an easel, as shown in Fig. 1. However, it may be usedasja drawing board by reversing its position 180 and sliding the surface 50 upon the support 34 so that the holding screw 62 is at the top of the board instead of the bottom, as shown in Fig. 4. In this way the supporting surface 60 may be dropped down infront of the compartment I9, since the supporting block 64 at the top of the drawing board may be brought into supporting engagement near the bottom of the support 34. In this way the drawing board can'be dropped down so as to be between the knees or in' the lap of the artist sitting in front of it, a position often found convenient.

The pallet mounting construction is described as follows: On the left and front corner of the upper inside surface of the lid I2 is an angular metal piece which is fastened on the surface of the lid I2. The hinges I5 raise the lid I2 from the surface I6 sufficiently to permit a U-shaped member 9i to be inserted over the lid and fastened in position by means of 'a' thumb screw 92. Attached to this U-shaped member is an additional support 83 to receive a tubular member 94 which can beheld in fixed position by means of a thumb screw 95. The tubular member 94 is a part of an angular piece having two arms 96 and 91, the latter being vertically positioned to engage a socket 98 mounted on the bottom of each of the pallets 26. The socket in the bottom of the pallet is spaced off-center and by rotating the pallet around the supporting vertical member 91 and by positioning the supporting arm 96 at various positions upon loosening the thumb screw 95, itis possible to adjust the pallet to any desired position. The rims on the pallet 26a are "such that paint can be left upon the pallets *when they are placed uponthe paint boxes 24 and 25 and will thus protect the paint when the 'drawing'board is'lowered to hold the pallets in position on top of the paint boxes.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of an artists maul which extends between .the two ledges SI and 81. The maul is formed with two telescopic members, the outer being a tubular member I00 and the inner a tubular member IIII sliding within the outer member. Ex-

tending throughout the length of the two members is a spring fastened at each end which normally tends to hold the member I 0| telescoped inside the member I80. The inner member IllI may be pulled out of the outer member I00 against the tension of the spring. On the end of the outer member I08 is a right angular engaging member EgbOBiBDl' fiber: lilzl rout :from the outer member 2100 and permitting the spring :to :pull the :points ,-I 02 and 1103 againstthe ledges 16! andB'Lholding the :maul in position. The ledges 15d candid! hold the maul :away from the drawing located flat against the surface :60 :and in this way "a rest :is provided .:for .thezantistfshand.

it ,is not essential ithat all of the features "be fincludedIintherembodiment Of my invention. For

:example, the maul may be omitted if desired, as

well i845 rthe pallet support. These members are normally carried within .the space :in the trunk iandimaybeioptional equipment.

it will be obvious that there may be many variations andmodiiications of the precise construction :shown :without departing :from the inventive concept disclosed and :all such as are withinzmy :claims are intended to be included.

1. A zcontainer adapted to comprise .all ,of the equipment and 'supplies ordinarily required by an artist, including a :hinge closure for said conitainer :normally occ pyin ,a vertical side posi- :tion when :closed and iopenable to :a horizontal plane resting 111301]. the upper tup'surface of the .container, a :supporting :member mounted upon :said closure, means :for adjusting said support- :ing member to vertical and different angular :po- .sitions, a painting :and drawing surface mounted for engagement with said supporting memib'er .at any of different positions along the same, randtmeans :mounted inear ione-end of saidsurfa-ce :for zclamping said surface *to said supporting member, :said ,means comprising a movable block :located within the area of said surface and a screw-operated member for urging said .block against said supportingimember.

2. A container adapted to comprise all of the equipment and .supplies ordinarily required by anartistpincluding :aliinge closure for said conttainer :normally occupying a vertical side position when closed and openable to a horizontal :plane resting upon the upper top surface of the container, -a supporting member mounted upon .said iclosure, means to fasten said supporting :member to 'said closure comprising ,a trianguilarly shaped piece and a piano-type hinge extending continuously along the :bottom of said triangularly shaped piece and into engagement with said sclosure, means for adjusting said supporting member to vertical and different angular positions, and a painting and drawing :sur-

face mounted for engagement with said supigula-rly shaped piece secured to said supporting member, a rectangular piece secured to said closure, a piano hinge extending continuously-along the said triangularly shaped and rectangular pieces, means for adjusting said supporting member to vertical and 'difierent angular positions, a painting and drawing surface mounted for engagement "with said supporting member at any of diiierent positions along the same, and means mounted near one end of said surface for clamping said surface to said supporting member.

4. A container adapted to comprise all of the equipment and supplies ordinarily required by an artist, including a hinge closure :for said container normally occupying a vertical side position when closed and openable to a horizontal plane resting uponthe upper top surfaceof the container, a supporting member mounted upon said closure, means to fasten said supporting member to said closure comprising a triangularly shaped piece .and a piano-type hinge extending continuously along the bottom of said triangularly shaped piece and into engagement with said closure, means for adjusting said supporting member to vertical and different angular :positions, a paintin and drawingsurface mounted for engagement with said supporting member at any of different positions along the same, and means mounted .near one end of said surface for clamping said surface to said supporting member, said means comprising a movable block located within the area of .saiclsurface and ascrew-operated member for urging said block against said supporting .member.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED ,STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 729,380 Moede May 26, 1903 1,069,879 Deeney et al Aug. '12, 1913 1,167,046 Campbell Jan. 4, 1916 1,286,018 Jones Nov. 26, 1918 1,632,476 Holderman et a1. June '14, .1927

FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 330,700 Germany Dec. 21,1920 

